Splice-bar for rails and the like.



F. L. H. SIMS.

SPLICE BAR FOR RAILS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13. 1916.

1,213,699; Patented; Jan.23,1917.

FREDERICK L. H. SIMS, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA,

ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAPI-IONE SIGNAL COMPANY, LIlTvIIIIiJD 0F TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

SPLICE-BAR FOR RAILS AND THE LIKE.

To all whom a mag concern:

Be it known that I, F REDERICK'L. H. SIMS, of thecity of Toronto, in the county of York, Province of- Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Splice-Bar's for Rails and the like, of whi'chthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to splice bars intended for use with bolts employing a wedge key passing through a-slot in the bolt instead-of a nut, as in my prior United States Patent No. 1,000,445 dated August 15th, 1911, and my object is'to' devise a form of splice bar which will adequately support the bolt while the key is being driven, which will. also support the key to'preventits being bent or deformed while being driven or under the strains'to' which" itis subjected when in use, and which will provide con venlent means for locking the key in place after it is driven.

I attain my objects by forming a groove in the splice bar diametrically intersecting the bolt hole and of sufficient depth to partly receive the wedge key and support its sides while leaving the driving end partly or wholly exposed, substantially as hereinafter more fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of a splice bar constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 a cross section of the same on an enlarged scale; Fig. 3 a horizontal section of part of the same; Fig. 4C a cross section of a modification; Fig. 5 a front elevation of part of the same; Fig. 6 a cross section of another modification; and Fig. 7 a front elevation of the same.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

l is a splice bar, which in the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 is in the main of ordinary form. On the outer face, however, at one or more of the bolt holes I form a groove 2. In a four-holed splice bar alter nate bolt holes are so provided with the grooves. The bars are then reversible and may be used at opposite sides of the rail. Through the bolt holes pass slotted bolts 3 alternately from opposite sides when the splice bars are arranged as shown. The slotted bolts are provided with the keys 4 which are usually formed as wedges. The grooves are formed of such a depth that Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May-13, 1916.

Patented Jan. 23, 1917.

Serial No. 97,387.

these keys are partly received in the groove, the rear ordriving end of the key projecting sufficiently far for engagement by a hammer or other driving tool. The sides of the grooves are that they engage and support the key. The grooves are, of course, of a width considerably less than the bolt holes and intersect the same diametrically so that shoulders 5 are formed which support the bolt when the key is being driven. The lateral support afforded to the key by the sides of the groove also prevents the latter being deformed or bent during the process of driving in such a manner as to detract from its effectiveness. After the key has been driven tightly, the edges of the sides of the groove may be deformed as shown at 6 so as to prevent the withdrawal of the key without the use of proper tools. prevent accidental loosening of the keys or any deliberate attempt to withdraw the keys by unauthorized parties not provided with proper tools. Preferably the grooves are formed by means of ribs 8 rolled up on the outer side of the splice bar. Preferably also these ribs are carried around the bolt holes concentric thereto so as to give plenty of strength to the splice bar where the holes are punched. While the grooves may run the full length of the splice bar, yet they will preferably be beveled ofi' at each end as shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 so as to taper down to the general level of the outer surface of the splice bar.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I show the ribs without any taper, the outer sides of the ribs running straight instead of having their outer sides at the bolt holes curved concentric therewith. In Fig. 4 I show similar ribs, but having their outer sides curved around the bolt holes concentric therewith to give added stiffness at these points against horizontal stresses. In this case the lower member 7 of the splice bar as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 may be dispensed witl I prefer to cut off the outer corner of the forward end of each key on a bevel as shown at 9 in Fig. 3. This makes it very difficult for anyone merely by using a hammer to drive back the key, thus making it more difiicult for the fastenings to be unlawfully tampered with. It is comparatively easy, however, by the use of a special piece of steel fitted into the groove to drive back the parallel and shaped so Provision is thus made to key past the deformations 6, which deformations, however, will satisfactorily hold the key until it is deliberately driven out as stated.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention is 1. A splice bar for rails and the like provided with a bolt hole and having ribs on its outer side forming between them a groove of less width than the diameter of the hole and intersecting the same substantially diametrically, said ribs being tapered off at each end to the general level of the outer surface oi the splice bar.

2. A splice bar for rails and the like provided with a bolt hole and having ribs on its outer side forming between them a groove of less width than the diameter of the hole and intersecting the same substantially diametrically, said ribs being tapered off at each end to the general level of the outer surface of the splice bar, in combination with a slotted bolt having its slotted end extending through the splice bar; and a key passing through the slot in the bolt and lying in said slot, the outer corner of the forward end of said key being beveled oil.

Copies of this patent may be obtained 01 five cents each, by addressing the 3. A. splice bar for rails and the like provided with a bolt hole and having a groove with parallel fiat sides formed in its outer surface of less width than the diameter of the hole and intersecting the same substantially diametrically, in combination with a slotted bolt having its slotted end extending through the splice bar; and a wedge key passing through the slot in the bolt, the edges of the slot behind the rear end of the key being deformed to prevent the retraction of the key.

4. A splice bar for rails and the like provided with a bolt hole and having ribs on its outer side forming between them a groove ofless Width than the diameter of the hole and intersecting the same substantially diametrically, the said ribs extending around the hole substantially concentric therewith.

Signed at Toronto, Canada, this 9th day of May 1916, in the presence of the two undersigned witnesses.

FREDERICK L. H, SIMS.

Witnesses:

J. EDW. MAYBEE, E. P. HALL.

Gommissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G. 

